A Pre-Christmas Dream:  Stress Less + Greater Giving

Luke 10:38-42 (NIV)

“Mary has chosen what is better”

 – Luke 10:42 (NIV)

What is your “dream” Christmas?

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A Pre-Christmas Dream:

1. Less Stress

• Preparations
• Priorities

1. Greater Giving

• Presence
• Purpose

• Why do we celebrate?
• Why do we give?
• What do we give?

Empowered Witness – “My life is a shipwreck”

Acts 27

When has your life felt like a shipwreck?  What happened?

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In the midst of a “shipwreck” did you ever ask, “Why me?”  ________

Elements of a Shipwreck:

1. The Journey – “The winds were against us.”             vs. 4

• God provides:  Companions
• We respond:    Concern for others

1. The Storm – “We finally gave up all hope.”    vs. 20

• God provides:  Assurance
• We respond:    Active faith

1. The Shipwreck – “Everyone reached land safely.”   vs. 44

• God provides:  Protection
• We respond:    Proclamations of thanksgiving

Empowered Witness – “Our Jesus Journey”

Is there joy in the journey or does joy happen at the destination? Why?

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Our Jesus Journey:

1. Oblivious to Jesus
2. Fighting Jesus
3. Accepting Jesus
4. Growing in Jesus
5. Proclaiming Jesus
6. Persecuted for Jesus
7. Giving it all to Jesus

Where are you today in your Jesus Journey? 

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Ephesians 3:14-21

 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

A Message from Pastor Al Frank

How to lead well:

Serve - “I served the Lord with great humility and with tears”

• Humbly
• With tears

Endure – “In the midst of severe testing”

Speak-up - “I never shrank back”

Teach - “Teaching you in public and from house to house, testifying both to Jews and to Greeks”

• Publically
• Privately
• To all

 Focus – “They must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.”

• Repentance
• Faith

“Planting and Harvesting”

And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. ³⁶ When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. ³⁷ Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; ³⁸ therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

- Matthew 9:35-38 (ESV)

I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.

– 1 Cor. 3:6 (ESV)

• We plant:
  • Pray for help
  • Perceive the need
  • Promote compassion

• God provides:
  • People who partner & populate
  • “Produce” – The fruit of His harvest

A message by Pastor Al Frank.

Acts: 8:26-40

Empowered Witness:  Dynamic Duos

Who are some famous dynamic duos?

_________________________________________________________

• Blood Brothers/BFFs
  • Paul & Silas – Acts 16:16-40

Who is or has been a blood brother/BFF to you?

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• Teacher & Student
  • Paul & Timothy – Acts 16:3, Phil. 2:23, 2 Tim. 1-2

            Who have you discipled?  Who has discipled you?

            ___________________________________________________

• Compassionate Couple
  • Priscilla & Aquila – Acts 18:24-26

Do you know a couple like Priscilla & Aquila?  What makes them special?

___________________________________________________

Love People

Impact our Community

Make Disciples

Empowered Witness:  “Breaking up is hard to do”

Acts 15:36-41 (ESV)

When has a “break up” actually resulted in good in your life?

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• Breaking up is hard

            What often causes “break ups”?

            ___________________________________________________

• God brings good       
  • New opportunities
  • New people
  • Possible reconciliation

            Is there someone with whom you need to reconcile?  What are you willing to do?

            ___________________________________________________

“Let me tell you about Jesus” – Challenge!

What are the biggest challenges (obstacles) to people trusting in Jesus?

_________________________________________________________

Relational Evangelism:

1. Build Bridges
2. Share the Good News
3. Challenge to Respond

Paul’s Audiences

            Acts 13:14-52                                           Acts 17:16-31

            Antioch in Pisidia                                      Athens

            - The Synagogue                                        - Cultured Pagans

            - Churched & Blind                                   - Philosophical Lost

Challenges:

1. Pride

• Self-Affirmation

Misguided Worship

• Materialism

Hardened Hearts

• Tolerance

Love People

Impact our Community

Make Disciples